ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
CGST Mumbai  Commissionerate busts Rs. 455 Crore fake GST invoice racket
One person Arrested
Date: 11th August 2022
In a press statement issued by the office the Principal Commissioner of CGST and CX, Mumbai  has informed that - Officers of CGST Mumbai South Commissionerate have busted a fake GST invoice racket, which was used to avail & pass on fake GST Input Tax Credit  of around Rs. 27.59 crore, on bogus invoices of Rs 455 Crores, and have arrested the director of M/s Ammy International Journal  Private Limited.
Acting on a specific input received from Central Intelligence Unit, CGST Mumbai Zone, the anti-evasion wing of CGST Mumbai South Commissionerate had initiated an investigation. During investigation, it was found that the taxpayer was non-functional at the registered place of business. The director of the company did not join the investigation and was absconding since last few months. However, he joined the investigation on 10.08.2022 and his statement was recorded wherein he admitted his role in this tax fraud.
Investigation revealed that this company had fraudulently claimed input tax credit of Rs. 14.15 Crore and passed on fake input tax credit of Rs. 13.44 Crore to various non-existent entities. Bogus invoices of Rs. 455 Crore were issued for availing and passing on of inadmissible input tax credit, in a fraudulent manner without actual supply or receipt of goods, in gross violation of provisions of the CGST Act, 2017.
Based on material evidence gathered during the investigation and admission of his role in this tax fraud, the accused person was arrested on 10.08.2022 under Section 69 of CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017. He was produced before the Hon’ble Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Esplanade. The Magistrate has remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.
During the financial year 2021-22, the CGST Mumbai South Commissionerate had detected GST evasion of Rs. 949 Crore, recovered Rs. 18 Crore and arrested 9 tax evaders. This is the sixth arrest by the officers of CGST Mumbai South Commissionerate, in the current financial year.
CGST officers are using data analysis and network analysis tools to identify and trace the potential fraudsters. This case is a part of the special drive launched by the CGST Mumbai Zone against the tax fraudsters and fake ITC networks. The CGST officers will intensify this drive against the tax evaders in the coming days.
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and PD Shri Ram Vilas Paswan announces blanket ban on single use plastic products in the Ministry from 15th September, 2019
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today announced a blanket ban on all types of single use plastic products in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and all its PSUs including Food Corporation of India . The decision on this was taken in a high level meeting with Secretaries of both the Departments i.e. Consumer Affairs and Food, CMD FCI, DG Bureau of India Standards, MD of CWC, Director Legal Metrology along with other senior officials of the Ministry. It was decided that all single use plastic products will be completely banned in Ministry and its PSUs from 15th September. Union Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan asked the officials to make alternate arrangements to ensure that the ban is effective.
Prime Minister's Office
PM presents awards, addresses civil servants on Civil Services Day
PM presents awards, addresses civil servants on Civil Services Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today presented awards and addressed civil servants on the occasion of the eleventh Civil Services Day.
Describing this day as one of “rededication,” the Prime Minister said that civil servants are well aware of their strengths and capabilities, challenges and responsibilities.
He said conditions prevailing today are quite different from about two decades ago, and would evolve much further over the next few years. Elaborating on this, the Prime Minister said that earlier, Government was almost the sole provider of goods and services, which left a lot of scope for ignoring one’s shortcomings. However, now, very often, people perceive that the private sector offers better services than Government. The Prime Minister said that with alternatives now being available in several areas, the responsibilities of Government officers have increased. He added that this increase is not in terms of scope of work, but in terms of the challenge.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of competition, which brings qualitative change. He said that the sooner the attitude of Government can change from regulator to enabler, the faster this challenge of competition will become an opportunity.
The Prime Minister said that while the absence of Government in a sphere of activity should be perceptible, its presence in a sphere of activity should not become a burden. He asked civil servants to strive towards such arrangements.
Noting the quantum jump in the applications for Civil Service Day awards, from less than 100 last year to over 500 this year, the Prime Minister said that the focus should now be on improving quality, and making excellence a habit.
The Prime Minister urged senior officers to ensure that experience does not become a burden that stifles innovation of younger officers.
Shri Narendra Modi said that anonymity is one of the greatest strengths of the civil services. He cautioned officers that the use of social media should not lead to a decline in this strength, even as social media and mobile governance are leveraged for connecting people to benefits and government schemes.
Speaking in the context of “reform, perform and transform”, the Prime Minister said that political will is needed for reform, but the “perform” part of this formulation must come from civil servants, while transformation is enabled by people’s participation.
The Prime Minister said that civil servants must ensure that every decision is taken keeping national interest in mind, and this should be their touchstone for taking a decision.
Recalling that the year 2022 would mark 75 years of independence, he urged civil servants to play the role of catalytic agents in fulfilling the dreams of freedom fighters.
Ministry of Finance
Tax exemption to ameliorate stress due to COVID-19
The Government has decided to provide income tax exemption to the amount received by a taxpayer for medical treatment from an employer or from any person for treatment of COVID-19 during the financial year 2019-20 and subsequent years. This was stated by Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
The Minister stated that Income-tax exemption shall be provided to the amount received by a taxpayer for medical treatment from an employer or from any person for treatment of COVID-19 during financial year 2019-20 and subsequent years.
The Minister further stated that the aim of this exemption is to provide relief to taxpayers who suffered on account of COVID-19 and had to incur sum for medical treatment of COVID-19 after taking help from employer or any person. It is the stated policy of the Government to discourage cash transactions and move towards less cash economy. Hence, there is no proposal to increase the limit of cash transactions permissible under various provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the Minister stated.
Giving more details, the Minister said that in order to provide relief to the family members of taxpayers who have lost their lives due to COVID-19, the Government has decided that income-tax exemption shall be provided to ex-gratia payment received by family members of a person from the employer of such person or from other person on the death of the person on account of COVID-19 during FY 2019-20 and subsequent years.
The exemption shall be allowed without any limit for the amount received from the employer and the exemption shall be limited to Rs. 10 lakh in aggregate for the amount received from any other persons, the Minister stated.
The Minister further said that the Government has extended various key tax compliance deadlines due to impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The detail of these extended timelines is provided in the Annexure.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
“Funds for Poshan Abhiyaan”
Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, approx. Rs. 5,257 crores have been released to all States/UTs under various components as on 1.1.2022 including on ICT application, Capacity Building etc.Approximately 17% has been spent on procurement of smartphones.Around 11.03 lakh smartphones have been procured by States/UTs.Poshan Abhiyaan is built on a convergent platform and is essentially a Jan Andolan for community mobilisation and behavioural change.
ICDS -CAS posed operational challenges and was replaced with the Poshan Tracker which is a robust ICT platform designedto enable real-time monitoring and tracking of all AWCs, AWWs and beneficiaries on defined indictors.ICDS CAS was mainly a data entry interface with minimal features for generating few reports whereas Poshan Tracker is based upon modern API based micro service architecture.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Veterinary Colleges
Veterinary colleges are essential for animal welfare in the country. However, Animal Husbandry, including Veterinary education, is a State subject and therefore, establishment of veterinary colleges  falls under the purview of the State.
Estimates of veterinary colleges / veterinary professionals are made by States and there is no such data maintained centrally. However, there are 54 recognized veterinary colleges as on date. Further, as per the Indian Veterinary Practitioner Register, maintained by VCI, there are 85392 registered veterinary practitioners up to 2020.
Veterinary Council of India , established under the provision of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, is mandated to regulate veterinary practice, which includes, among others, maintaining minimum standards of veterinary education. TheMinimum Standards for Veterinary Education  Regulations lay down the physical facilities, manpower, course duration, curriculum, etc. that are required to impart the Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry  degree by a recognized veterinary college in the country.
This information was given by The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri. Parshottam Rupala in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
MV/MG
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
40.64 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
3,03,08,456 total recoveries across the country so far
Recovery Rate increases to 97.32%
38,660 patients have recovered during the last 24 hours
India has reported 38,164 new cases in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently stands at 4,21,665
Active cases constitute 1.35% of total cases
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.08%
Daily positivity rate at 2.61%, less than 3% for 28 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 44.54 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Senior Member of "National Commission for Women" , Mrs Soso Shaiza meets Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and discusses COVID-19 in North Eastern Region
Senior Member of "National Commission for Women" , Mrs Soso Shaiza today met Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed COVID related issues, particularly in the context of the North Eastern Region.
Mrs Shaiza conveyed her appreciation for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for all the precautionary measures taken in time to contain the spread of COVID pandemic. She also expressed confidence that India will be able to overcome this challenge.
Briefing about the activities during the current pandemic, Mrs Shaiza informed Dr Jitendra Singh about the services rendered in the wake of the nationwide lockdown, particularly in helping the people from North Eastern Region living in different parts of the country. She also presented to the Minister a broad road map about how to vocationally engage young boys and girls returning back to Northeast who are particularly skilled in certain specialised jobs.
Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the role, particularly by women Self Help Groups, during the last few weeks of the pandemic. He said, women in the North East had taken a lead in preparing several items during the lockdown period. He made a special mention of the face covers being prepared by the Self Help Groups in a wide variety and fancy designs, which are fast gaining popularity all over the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed the Member of National Commission for Women about the various steps taken by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  in the wake of COVID pandemic. He said, the Ministry of DoNER had offered to financially assist and expeditiously process proposals from North Eastern States related to the health sector, especially for management of COVID and other infectious diseases. Appreciating the role of various State governments of the North Eastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh assured Mrs Soso Shazia that every care is being taken for comfortable return and sustenance of people coming back from different parts of the country.
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Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister participates in the first Outreach Session of G7 Summit
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the first Outreach Session of the G7 Summit today.
The session, titled ‘Building Back Stronger - Health’, focused on global recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and on strengthening resilience against future pandemics.
During the session, Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the support extended by the G7 and other guest countries during the recent wave of COVID infections in India.
He highlighted India's ‘whole of society’ approach to fight the pandemic, synergising the efforts of all levels of the government, industry and civil society.
He also explained India’s successful use of open source digital tools for contact tracing and vaccine management, and conveyed India's willingness to share its experience and expertise with other developing countries.
Prime Minister committed India's support for collective endeavours to improve global health governance. He sought the G7's support for the proposal moved at the WTO by India and South Africa, for a TRIPS waiver on COVID related technologies.
Prime Minister Modi said that today's meeting should send out a message of "One Earth One Health" for the whole world. Calling for global unity, leadership, and solidarity to prevent future pandemics, Prime Minister emphasized the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies in this regard.
PM will participate in the final day of the G7 Summit tomorrow and will speak in two Sessions.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Digital Access to Villages
One of the important objectives of Digital India programme is to transform the lives of Indian citizens and improve governance and democracy by ensuring digital services, digital access, bridging the digital divide, digital inclusion and digital empowerment. Towards this, various digital initiatives for strengthening the digital infrastructure providing government services through platforms and creation of India Stack have been taken by the Government of India. Some of the key platforms along with their web links are as under:
- Aadhaar platform: https://uidai.gov.in/
- Unified Payments Interface : https://www.bhimupi.org.in/
- Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance : https://web.umang.gov.in/landing/
-  Digital seva platform: https://digitalseva.csc.gov.in/
- DigiLocker: https://www.digilocker.gov.in/
-  MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/
As per data provided by Telecom Service Providers  and field units of the Department of Telecommunications , as of December 2020, out of 5,97,618 inhabited villages in the country as per Census 2011, an estimated 25,067 villages did not have mobile connectivity. Out of these 25,067 uncovered villages, around 11,000 villages have since been included in Universal Service Obligation Fund schemes. Uncovered villages are covered by the Government and TSPs in a phased manner.
For optical fibre connectivity, DoT is implementing BharatNet project in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all inhabited villages.
BharatNet is providing broadband/Optical Fibre Connectivity  to all Gram Panchayats  in the country, including in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Details of fibre extended in the villages of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, as on 28.11.2022, are as under:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
State
|
|
Total Planned GPs
|
|
OFC laid 
|
|
Service-ready GPs on OFC
|
|
Service-ready GPs on satellite
|
|
Total Service-ready GPs 
|
|
1
|
|
Bihar
|
|
8,404
|
|
27,413
|
|
8,300
|
|
16
|
|
8,316
|
|
2
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
4,399
|
|
16,745
|
|
4,333
|
|
2
|
|
4,335
|
|
3
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
59,365
|
|
1,03,950
|
|
39,785
|
|
33
|
|
39,818
Source: DoT
This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM responds to citizens’ comments on Kashi Vishwanath and Bihu Celebrations
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has responded to citizens’ on issues ranging from Kashi Vishwanath and Bihu Celebrations.
Replying to a citizen who got the opportunity to take his father to Kashi Vishwanath, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Lovely!”
Replying to a citizen on Bihu Celebrations in Assam a few days ago, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Yes, this was a Bihu celebration I will never forget. Here are some more pictures from the Assam visit in addition to the Bihu programme.”
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India pledges to restore 50 lakh hectares of degraded land by 2030
India will take the lead to combat desertification and move the world in a positive direction: Union Environment Minister
 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification  from 2-13 September 2019 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. Delivering the keynote address at a Curtain Raiser Press Conference in New Delhi, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, highlighted India’s resolve to combat desertification. “Desertification is a worldwide problem directly affecting 250 million people and a third of the earth’s land surface. To fight this menace, India will convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land in next 10 years; it will implement provisions of New Delhi Declaration which is to be adopted at the end of conference and a Centre for Excellence will be established at Dehradun”, said Shri Javadekar.
The Environment Minister also expressed India’s continued commitment to stay on track on a sustainable path to land use and land management. “It is our collective responsibility to do our duty towards protecting the environment and ensuring that there is no harmful impact on it”, said Shri Javadekar. Elaborating further on India’s key role as the President of UNCCD COP for the next 2 years, Shri Javadekar said “It is the common resolve of the World to combat desertification and India will lead from the front and move the world in a positive direction, taking into cognizance the support of other countries”.
Delegates from 196 countries comprising of scientists and representatives of national and local governments, global business leaders, NGOs, gender-based organisations, youth groups, journalists, and faith and community groups will present and share their expertise and give an overview to achieve their goals at the 12-day Conference .
The Convention entered into force in December 1996. It is one of the three Rio Conventions along with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  and Convention on Biological Diversity . India became a signatory to UNCCD on 14th October 1994 and ratified it on 17th December 1996. The main objective of the convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, involving long-term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously, in affected areas, on improved productivity of land, and the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved
living conditions, in particular at the community level. The Convention’s 197 parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought. The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation.
To check a presentation on desertification by Union Environment Minister, click here:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Commerce & Industry Minister Sh. Piyush Goyal to be the Chief Guest at FFFAI Diamond Jubilee event
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal will address the Diamond Jubilee event of the Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India  as the Chief Guest tomorrow in New Delhi.
Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs , Shri Vivek Johri will give the keynote address at the event. President, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, Dr. Ivan Petrov; Managing Director, International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations  & President, Japan Customs Brokers Association, Mr. Seisaku Okafuji and Chief Operating Officer, DP World, Mr. Mike Bhaskaran will participate as panellists during the event.
Commenting on the 60 years’ journey of FFFAI, Chairman, FFFAI, Shri Shankar Shinde said that FFFAI has a rich history. He said that it’s been a long journey and such an event gives an opportunity to honour the past performance and envision future prospects for fraternity growth contributing to the Nation’s growth honouring the past, celebrating the present and welcoming the future.
Shri Shinde stated that the Federation will continue with its endeavours to empower Customs Brokers and logistics service providers by providing international platforms of FIATA and IFCBA for networking. He also highlighted that with continual training programmes through FFFAI’s Training institute Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders , the logistics fraternity is being benefited in terms of enhancement of operational skill. On this occasion, Shri Shinde conveyed gratitude to all the members, stakeholders & Government Agencies in partnering with FFFAI to achieve this milestone of 60 years’ of successful journey.
FFFAI is the National Apex Body of the Customs Brokers in India which was established in 1962 with an objective to organise united action to project and promote EXIM trade interests with professionalism in all its aspects of Customs Brokers and Logistics Service Providers at the national and International level.
FFFAI’s Diamond Jubilee Event is being organised to celebrate 60 Years of the Federation’s journey and its effort in serving the EXIM trade, and strengthening the economy of the country. FFFAI EC Members , Government officials and logistics industry stakeholders from across the country will be participating in the event. At this event FFFAI will also unveil Diamond Jubilee Souvenir, Coffee Table Book and e-Bill of Lading  to benefit the Exim trade. The theme of the event is ”FFFAI Transcending Boundaries”.